IDOE seeking input from the public

Monday, July 10, 2017 8:34 AM

The Indiana Department of Education (IDOE) is seeking public comments on the first draft Indiana’s plan to fulfill the new federal education requirements, known as the Every Student Succeeds Act (ESSA).

The public comment period will stay open though 11:59 p.m. on July 20.

ESSA was signed into law in December 2015 as the update to the Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965. ESSA replaces the previous update to the law, the No Child Left Behind Act (NCLB).

ESSA mirrors NCLB in that ESSA holds states accountable for high standards, maintains state accountability systems, requires annual tests in grades 3 through 8 and in high school and sustains support for struggling schools and development of teachers.

However, ESSA also allows for more state input and direction. Through ESSA, states can determine how they want to reach each of these policy goals and have more local control in crafting their approach.

Public comment is being gathered through six online surveys. Each survey corresponds with a specific section of the ESSA draft. Indiana’s ESSA draft and public comment surveys can be found at www.doe.in.gov/essa.